New Xbox Shooter Blindfire Takes Place Nearly Entirely In The Dark, Playable Today

As a seasoned gamer with years of experience under my belt, I must admit that the latest announcement from Xbox’s Partner Preview has piqued my interest like never before. Blindfire, this unique round-based multiplayer FPS, seems to be pushing the boundaries of what we expect from shooters, and as someone who thrives on a good challenge, I can’t wait to get my hands on it.


During Xbox’s latest Partner Preview event, a fresh, round-based multiplayer First-Person Shooter game called Blindfire was introduced. While there are plenty of multiplayer shooters around, this one stands out thanks to its distinctive feature – it’s primarily set in the dark.

Starting today, “Blindfire” enters early access via the Xbox Game Preview program on both Xbox Series X|S and PC. This game seems to encourage a more strategic and tactical approach, as suggested by an Xbox Wire blog post. The multiplayer arenas in “Blindfire” are predominantly shadowy, making it crucial for players to carefully consider when to engage the enemy since gunshots can easily give away their position. In this game, the sound of reloading is a key factor. Players can opt for a quick but loud reload or a slower, stealthier one with minimal noise. This tactic’s importance in “Blindfire” is highlighted by Matt Dunthorne, the lead designer at developer Double Eleven.

In Dunthorne’s viewpoint, what makes this concept appealing is its simplicity and purity, as there are no unnecessary complexities; it can be summarized in just one sentence. To put it another way, he likened it to walking into a completely dark room with armed opponents – good luck!

In this game I’m playing, the primary mode is called Bodycount and it offers both free-for-all and team versions. Each match unfolds over five intense rounds where each player gets just one life per round, making every encounter a nail-biting game of cat-and-mouse. Hiding in the shadows might keep you alive, but if you want to win, you’ve got to be the one seeking out action – racking up multikills, headshots, or claiming the first kill of the game will earn you more points. Even surviving a round without taking any damage is rewarding as well.

According to Dunthorne, kills aren’t just about raw shooting skills; they’re more about smartly utilizing the surroundings for advantage. This involves moving stealthily, paying attention to sounds, deciding which target to attack, and considering potential threats lurking in the darkness. It’s a distinct test that compels you to adapt your playstyle.

During a game, the stadium lights will gradually brighten, resembling the expanding boundary in a battle royale. This gradual illumination encourages players to move from darker areas towards the center of the playfield, increasing their visibility to each other.

During the game, players won’t be completely clueless about their surroundings at all times. Each player possesses a skill called Echo, which offers a brief overview of their immediate environment. If an Echo reveals an opponent, it displays their last-known location, giving players a potential chance to track them down.

At the Xbox Preview debut, players will initially have access to just two weapon options: a potent and precise pistol, along with a close quarters shotgun. According to Dunthorne, additional weapons are planned for future updates, but the emphasis is on “streamlining loadouts” to encourage success based on “strategy and skill execution,” rather than relying on the equipment one brings into battle.

Among the upcoming announcements from the Xbox Partner Preview, it was unveiled that Finnish game developer Remedy Entertainment is launching their inaugural multiplayer game, “FBC Firebreak”. Expectedly, this title will be accessible via Game Pass on its release day, concurrently with other games such as Subnautica 2.

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2024-10-17 22:09